Couple ties knot at Dunkin' Donuts

By Robert Stanton |
December 7, 2011

CODY DUTY PHOTOS : CHRONICLE
A FAMILIAR PLACE: Nancy Christian and Clark Bennett are married by the Rev. Patrick Miller at Dunkin' Donuts on Bellaire. They meet there on a regular basis with friends. "It's kind of like Cheers without alcohol," Nancy said of the group.

Photo By Cody Duty

BON VOYAGE: The newlyweds share a laugh with Jo Chelf, 2nd from left, and Jennifer Wang after the ceremony. The couple will honeymoon in a new Gulf Airstream RV.

The 71-year-old groom has traveled the globe, going to such places as Germany, Thailand and India for his job.

The 68-year-old bride is an avid outdoorsman.

Their choice to get married on Wednesday: His coffee and doughnut hangout in Bellaire.

At noon, Clark Bennett and Nancy Christian exchanged rings, vows and a kiss before about 25 friends and family members at Dunkin' Donuts at 5406 Bellaire.

Bennett decided against a more elaborate wedding venue, he said, because the doughnut shop has been the nucleus of his social life for years. What's more, he grew up down the street and graduated from Bellaire High School.

In the mid-1970s, Bennett regularly stopped by the business for coffee and doughnuts, and forged friendships there. Each morning, the group discussed just about everything - politics, religion, current affairs and even their personal relationships.

"He joined our group and we became friends," said Fred Metchik, 85, who ran Frederick's Interiors just behind the doughnut shop before he retired. "We went to dinner a lot and went out (for entertainment) and he helped me set up my computer."

To be sure, the group was tight-knit. But few knew just how much. No one suspected Bennett would tie the knot at their meeting spot.

"It surprised the devil out of everyone," Metchik said. "We thought it was a joke."

Bennett admits that little in his life is normal - not even meeting his wife-to-be last year at Memorial Park at an event sponsored by the Bayou City Outdoor Club. Both are avid kayakers, backpackers and campers.

"It was a Halloween hike and Clark was wearing skeleton pajamas," said Nancy Christian Bennett, who wore a long witch's outfit to the hike. "I was just blown away."

But it wasn't exactly love at fight sight, hubby admits. "I chased her around about half a year."

The way Nancy Bennett sees it, the wedding venue isn't important, she said. The camaraderie is.

"I think about a wedding as a celebration," said the bride, whose wedding day outfit included a sparkly blue ensemble and black fascinator. "It should be fun. And it is."